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Congratulations to Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education for their partnership, along with other important stakeholders, to create a new Teach Maine Center!
Parents, grandparents and community members know and see the teacher workforce challenges, post-pandemic, in our schools every day. We hear about their struggles as teachers work to connect with, support and teach our children. Their work could not be more important and more valued. In turn, teachers need their own set of supports as they do this Herculean work every day.
The innovative new Teach Maine Center, to be launched next year, is multifaceted and designed to grow and strengthen Maine’s educator workforce across our state in several key ways. Program design will support educators’ development, growth and leadership skills. The center will elevate educators and the education profession statewide. Programs will focus on the elements of how to incentivize, recruit and retain Maine educators so the workforce can expand and diversify.
My favorite part about the new Teach Maine Center is that all of these programs are being designed this year by leveraging the wisdom and expertise of Maine’s current exceptional educators.
The Teach Maine Center will support and advance a vibrant educator workforce that, in turn, will ensure student achievement and success. I wish everyone involved Godspeed.
Mary Small
Former Maine Senate chair
Education and Cultural Affairs Committee
Bath
